Are you tired of making weekly trips to the grocery store just to buy chicken breasts at premium prices? I’ve been there too! As a family of five, our chicken consumption is through the roof, and those regular-sized grocery packs just weren’t cutting it anymore. That’s when I discovered the magic of buying chicken breasts in bulk – it’s been a total game-changer for our household budget!
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about where to find the best bulk chicken breast deals, how to store them properly, and why buying in bulk makes so much sense for families, meal preppers, and anyone looking to save some serious cash on their protein needs.
Why Buy Chicken Breasts in Bulk?
Before diving into where to buy, let’s talk about the WHY:
- Major Cost Savings: Buying in bulk typically saves $1-3 per pound compared to regular packaging
- Fewer Shopping Trips: Stock up once and you’re set for weeks or months
- Meal Prep Made Easy: Having a freezer full of chicken makes weekly meal planning so much simpler
- Consistent Quality: Find a good source once, and you’ll always know what you’re getting
Best Places to Buy Chicken Breasts in Bulk
1. Specialty Meat Shops
Places like Bringhurst Meats offer excellent bulk chicken options Their pricing structure makes it really clear how much you can save when buying by the case
At Bringhurst, you can purchase:
- Conventional chicken fryers for $1.74/lb by the case (vs. $2.49/lb in-store)
- Boneless chicken breasts for $2.55/lb by the case (vs. $5.19/lb in-store)
They even offer additional services like:
- Cutting options (splitting fryers, fileting breasts)
- Wrapping services to your specifications
- Italian style preparation (butterflied and flattened) for an additional $0.50/lb
What I really like about Bringhurst is they also offer Gerber Amish Farms All Natural Chicken if you prefer a more premium option. These cost a bit more ($5.43/lb for boneless breasts by the case), but the quality difference is noticeable.
2. Online Meat Delivery Services
If you prefer the convenience of home delivery, Perdue Farms offers a great Bulk Chicken Breasts Bundle.
Their bundle includes:
- 15 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Pre-portioned in three pouches (approx. 1-2 chicken breasts per pouch)
- Regularly priced at $199.95, but often on sale for $139.99 (that’s a 29% savings!)
- Free shipping (a huge plus when ordering heavy meat products)
What makes Perdue stand out is their commitment to quality
- No antibiotics ever
- No hormones or steroids added
- All vegetarian diet for their chickens
This option is perfect if you don’t want to leave your house or don’t have a specialty meat shop nearby.
3. Food Co-ops
One of my personal favorites is the Food and Meat Co-op. They offer an incredible deal with their “Already Prepped 40lb Case, Natural Chicken Breast” for $199.60, which works out to just $4.99/lb.
What makes this option special:
- Vacuum packed in 2-count packs (perfect for meal portioning)
- Already frozen and freezer-ready
- Domestically sourced (born, raised, harvested, and processed in the US)
- No added hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
The co-op takes fresh, untrimmed bulk chicken to their USDA-certified kitchen, trims it, vacuum-packs it, and freezes it fresh to preserve flavor. All you have to do is place it in your freezer when you pick it up!
This is also a great option if you want to split the purchase with friends or family since it’s already portioned out in convenient 2-pound packs.
4. Warehouse Clubs
Don’t overlook the classic warehouse clubs like:
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Costco: Their chicken breast prices typically range from $2.99-$3.99/lb when buying in bulk packages of 6-10 pounds. The quality is consistent, and they often have both conventional and organic options.
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Sam’s Club: Similar pricing to Costco, and sometimes they run special promotions that bring the price even lower.
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BJ’s Wholesale: Another good option if you have one in your area.
The membership fee is worth it if you regularly buy in bulk, not just chicken but other household items too!
5. Local Farms and Processors
This is a bit of a hidden gem, but many local chicken farms sell directly to consumers. You might need to purchase a whole or half chicken rather than just breasts, but the price per pound is often significantly lower than retail.
Check websites like LocalHarvest.org or EatWild.com to find farms in your area.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Let’s break down the savings with a real-world example:
Regular Grocery Store:
- Average boneless, skinless chicken breast: $5.99/lb
- For 40 pounds: $239.60
Bulk Purchase from Bringhurst Meats:
- Boneless breasts by the case: $2.55/lb
- For 40 pounds: $102.00
- Total Savings: $137.60
That’s enough savings to buy a new small freezer in just one purchase!
Tips for Storing Bulk Chicken
When you buy 15-40 pounds of chicken at once, proper storage becomes super important:
- Portion before freezing: Divide into meal-sized portions so you only thaw what you need
- Use quality freezer bags or vacuum sealer: This prevents freezer burn
- Label everything: Include the date and weight
- Use within 9-12 months: Chicken breasts can be frozen for up to a year, but quality is best within 9 months
- Thaw safely: Always thaw in the refrigerator, never on the counter
What To Look For When Buying in Bulk
Not all bulk chicken is created equal! Here’s what to look for:
- Processing methods: Hand-trimmed is often worth the extra cost
- Raising practices: “No antibiotics ever” and “vegetarian-fed” chickens generally provide better quality meat
- Vacuum-packing: This preserves quality much better than standard packaging
- Cut options: Some places will cut or prepare the chicken to your specifications
- Domestic sourcing: U.S.-raised chicken tends to have more consistent quality standards
Final Thoughts
Buying chicken breasts in bulk has literally saved our family hundreds of dollars over the past year. Beyond the cost savings, I’ve noticed we eat at home more often because we always have quality protein on hand.
Whether you choose a local meat shop like Bringhurst, an online service like Perdue Farms, or a food co-op like Food and Meat Co-op, the important thing is finding a source you trust and that works with your lifestyle.
If you’re hesitant about the upfront cost, start small with a 10-15 pound purchase and see how it works for your family. Once you experience the convenience and savings, I’m betting you’ll never go back to buying those small packs from the grocery store again!
Have you tried buying chicken in bulk? What was your experience? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
FAQ About Buying Chicken Breasts in Bulk
How much freezer space do I need for 40 pounds of chicken?
About 1.5-2 cubic feet of freezer space, depending on how it’s packaged.
Is it worth paying extra for pre-trimmed and vacuum-sealed chicken?
In my experience, absolutely! The time saved plus the better freezer life makes the slight premium worthwhile.
What if I don’t have a specialty meat shop nearby?
Online options like Perdue Farms deliver nationwide, and most areas have at least one warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Can I split a bulk purchase with friends?
Yes! This is actually a great way to get the bulk pricing without needing as much freezer space. The Food and Meat Co-op’s 2-pound packs make this especially easy.
How does the quality compare to grocery store chicken?
In general, bulk chicken from specialty shops and co-ops tends to be fresher and of higher quality than standard grocery store options. Many people (myself included!) notice less of the “woody breast” texture problem that’s becoming common in mass-produced chicken.
Remember, the key to successful bulk buying is having a plan for storage and usage. With a little organization, you’ll be enjoying delicious, economical chicken meals for months to come!
How much does a lb of chicken cost?
The price of chicken per pound can vary depending on the cut, quality, and where you buy it. On average:
- Conventional chicken breast typically ranges from $2.50 to $4.00 per pound.
- Organic or pasture-raised chicken can cost $5.00 to $8.00+ per pound.
Prices of chicken fluctuate, and these are just average estimates based on current market trends. Always check with your supplier or co-op for the most up-to-date pricing.
Buying in bulk is one of the best ways to reduce the price per pound and stretch your food budget further.
What are good meals to make with bulk chicken?
- Lemon garlic chicken
- BBQ shredded chicken
- Chicken enchiladas
- Chicken and veggie stir-fry
- Honey mustard grilled chicken
You can even check out our3 Chicken Thigh Freezer Meals blog post for inspiration.
And if you are looking for more freezer meal ideas, check out these 7 Homemade Freezer Meals.